Multi-user touch-responsive entertainment device

ABSTRACT

An entertainment device comprising a housing or base unit that supports display surface is disclosed. A display generating device displays visual images on the display surface. The display generating device may be a projection-type display device or a display panel device. A touch/proximity sensing device detects positions of a user appendage on the display surface in the course of a game or activity. In addition, users may interact with the entertainment device with an input controller device that comprises buttons, directional pad devices, etc. A control unit, connected to the touch/proximity sensing device and to the display generating device, is responsive to signals from the at least one input controller and/or position detections from the touch/proximity sensing device to, among other operations, alter the visual image displayed on the display surface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/625,108, filed Nov. 5, 2004, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-user entertainment thatdisplays visual images and generates audio in coordinated response totouch and other user interaction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interactive electronic game devices have evolved to somewhat complexsystems that provide audio and visual output in a variety of forms.These devices can be useful to provide entertainment to children as wellas serving as a learning tool.

Many entertainment devices of this type heretofore known have limited,if no, multi-user or multiplayer capability. In addition, these gamesare not flexible in terms of the type of user input devices that can beused. Very often they are limited to unique controllers that operateonly with a particular game device. Many prior art devices also useoutdated analog technologies and do not take advantage of the many typesof data or content available in digital format. Moreover, manyinteractive game devices require the use of physical game pieces, thatare easily lost or misplaced, in combination with displayed images.

It would be desirable to provide an interactive entertainment devicethat is fully digital and embodied in a flexible hardware platform thatcan bring an endless variety of environments and experiences in a waynot heretofore known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, an entertainment device is provided comprising a housing orbase unit that supports display surface. A display generating devicedisplays visual images on the display surface. The display generatingdevice may be a projection-type display device or a display paneldevice. A touch/proximity sensing device detects positions of a user'sappendage on the display surface in the course of a game or activity.Users may also interact with the entertainment device with at least oneinput controller device that comprises buttons, directional pad devices,etc. A control unit is responsive to signals from the at least one inputcontroller and/or position detections from the touch/promixity sensingdevice to, among other operations, alter the visual image displayed onthe display surface and/or generate accompanying audio in the form ofgame sounds, music, etc.

Users may interact with the entertainment device at each of a pluralityof user positions that are located around the display surface. When atransition in an activity is made from one user position to another, thecontrol unit controls the display generating device to rotate thedisplayed visual images so that they are properly aligned with the otheruser position. In addition, the control unit adjusts how it interpretstouch position detections made by the touch/proximity sensing deviceduring such a transition from one user position to another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an entertainment device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with theentertainment device in a first, projection position.

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment device ofFIG. 1, with the entertainment device in an initial stage of transitionto a second, storage position.

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment device ofFIG. 1, with the entertainment device completely transformed into thesecond, storage position.

FIG. 2C illustrates top perspective view of the entertainment device ofFIG. 1, with the entertainment device in the second, storage position.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical components of theentertainment device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a displaygenerating device for use with an entertainment device in accordancewith the present invention.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic representations of alternative forms ofdisplay generating devices useful with an entertainment device accordingto the invention.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of part of a corner of the touch sensingdevice underlying the display surface according to one embodiment of thedevice shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a schematic of the cross-point sensor arrayfor the touch sensing device shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of part of the display surface overlying thetouch sensing device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIGS. 10-11 are diagrammatic sectional views of one sensor in the sensorarray shown in FIG. 8, with and without contact by a user'sfinger/appendage.

FIG. 12 is an electrical block diagram of the circuitry used in thetouch-sensing device shown in FIGS. 7-12.

FIGS. 13A and 13B depict a flow chart for touch position responsealgorithms that interpret the operative position of a user's touch.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an integrated display monitor/touchpanel that may be used in the entertainment device shown in FIGS. 1 and2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a display surface of the entertainment deviceand showing how it changes the orientation of the displayed visual imageaccording to which of multiple users is active in a game or activity.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart for the display re-orientation algorithmdepicted in FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Entertainment Device Generally

In accordance with the present invention, agame/entertainment/creativity device is disclosed. The game system mayinclude a display generating device that displays visual images on adisplay surface. The display generating device may be a projection-typedisplay device or a display panel device. A touch/proximity sensingdevice detects positions of a user appendage on the display surface inthe course of a game or activity. Users may also interact with theentertainment device with at least one input controller device thatcomprises buttons, directional pad devices, etc. A control unit isresponsive to signals from the at least one input controller and/orposition detections from the touch/promixity sensing device to, amongother operations, alter the visual image displayed on the displaysurface and/or generate accompanying audio.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an entertainment device 1000 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Theentertainment device 1000 of the present invention may include a housingor base unit 1100. The housing 1100 may include first, second, third,and fourth sides 1102, 1104, 1106, and 1108, respectively. The housing1100 of the entertainment device 1000 of the present invention may alsoinclude a touch-sensitive display surface 1110 received thereon. Thehousing 1100 may include a control unit (e.g., a microprocessor—notshown) housed therein.

The housing or base unit 1100 of the entertainment device 1000 of thepresent invention may also include one or more input controllers, two ofwhich are shown at reference numerals 1120(1) and 1120(2). In theembodiment of the entertainment device 1000 of the present inventionillustrated in FIG. 1 the input controllers 1120(1), 1120(2) may beremoveably or non-removeably received in one or more recesses or bays1150 included in the housing 1100 of the entertainment device 1000.Although only two input controllers 1120(1), 1120(1) are shown in FIG.1, any number of input controllers may be utilized without departingfrom the scope of the present invention (see input controller 1120(3) inFIG. 2). For example, in the design shown in FIG. 1, there are four useror player positions around the display surface 1110, one on each side1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108 of the housing 1100, and there may be an inputcontroller at each of these user or player positions. The least oneinput controller 1120(1), 1120(2), 1120(3) may be operably coupled tothe control unit via any known method including a wired coupling at thecorresponding bay 1150, or a wireless coupling to electronics in thebase unit 1100.

The input controllers 1120(1), 1120(2), 1120(3) may comprise aconventional video game controller. Additionally, the input controllers1120(1), 1122(2), 1120(3) may comprise any type of user-manipulableelectronic input device (e.g., a directional pad, steering wheel,joystick, touchpad, dancepad, motion-sensitive implement (an implementsuch as a bat, racquet, paddle, etc. housing a motion sensor) withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. For example, theinput controllers 1120(1), 1122(2), 1120(3) may include a directionalpad 1120 a(1), 1120 a(2) and several buttons 1120 b(1), 1120 b(2),respectively. One or more of the bays 1150 may be “universal” in that itmay also accept and operably connect to other accessory devices such asmicrophones, electric musical instruments (e.g., keyboard), and otheruser-manipulable electronic input devices such as dancepads, joysticks,steering wheels, etc.

The entertainment device 1000 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention may also include a display portion 1130. The displayportion 1130 of this embodiment includes a display housing 1180 with adisplay generating device 1175 housed therein. As shown in FIG. 1, thedisplay generating device 1175 is supported above the touch-sensitivedisplay surface 1110. Thus, the display generating device 1175 ispositioned in a first, projection position. In this first, projectionposition, the display generating device 1175 is located spaced-apartfrom the touch-sensitive display surface 1110. In one embodiment, thedisplay generating device 1175, in its first, projection position, maybe positioned approximately 18 inches above the touch-sensitive displaysurface 1110.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display generating device 1175 of theentertainment device 1000 of the present invention is supported abovethe touch-sensitive display surface 1110 of the housing 1000. Thedisplay generating device 1175 is supported above the touch-sensitivedisplay surface 1110 by support portions or arm members 1132, 1134,1136, and 1138. The support portions 1132, 1134, 1136, and 1138 areconfigured to move from a projection position (illustrated in FIG. 1) toa storage/folded position (illustrated in FIG. 2). The support portions(arms) 1132, 1134, 1136, and 1138 may comprise a plurality of generallyrigid, arcuate tubes capable of supporting the display housing 1180above the touch-sensitive display surface 1110. The arm pair formed byarms 1134, 1136 and the arm pair formed by arms 1132, 1138 attach attheir distal ends to display mount or clamp members 1160 and 1162,respectively. The clamp members 1160 and 1162 hold the display housing1180 in position over the touch-sensitive display surface 1110. As willbe explained hereinafter in conjunction with FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, thedisplay housing 1180 may be removed from the clamp members 1160 and 1162when the arms 1132, 1134, 1136 and 1138 are rotated to their storagepositions. The display housing 1180 has connectors (not shown) for data,control, and power that mate with complementary connectors (not shown)on one or both of the clamp members 1160, 1162, which are in turnelectrically connected to the system controller electronics in the baseunit 1100. The support portions 1132, 1134, 1136, and 1138 and thedisplay generating device 1175 may also be rotated into a differentposition convenient for storage (see FIG. 2). In addition, the supportarms 1132, 1134, 1136, and 1138 may be hollow metal tubes that act asheat dissipating “fins” to help conduct heat away from the displaygenerating device 1175, e.g., a projector head.

There is also a port 1190 on the housing 1100 at one of the sides 1102,1104, 1106 and 1108 that receives a program cartridge 1192 that containscomputer or microprocessor instructions for one or more games oractivities for one or more players of the device 1000 (in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, the port 1190 and the program cartridge 1192 areshown on side 1104 of housing 1100). The program cartridge 1192 maycontain a read only memory (ROM) storage device that contains the one ormore computer or microprocessor programs to provide game/entertainmentcontent to the control unit and the display generating device 1175.

The housing 1100 of the entertainment device 1000 of the presentinvention includes indentations or grooves 1140 configured to permit thesupport portions 1132, 1134, 1136, and 1138 to be moved/adjusted fromthe projection position to the storage/folded position. Furthermore, thehousing 1100 of the entertainment device 1000 of the present inventionmay incorporate an audio output generating device (e.g., a speaker orspeakers (for stereo sound)). Finally, the housing 1100 of theentertainment device 1000 of the present invention may incorporate aremovable media storage/playback unit (e.g., a CD, DVD, ROMcartridge—not illustrated) operably coupled to the control unit. Theremovable media storage/playback unit may be configured to provideadditional game/entertainment content to the control unit and thedisplay generating device 1175.

Turning to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the entertainment device 1000 may becollapsed into a second, storage position 1200 for storage orportability when the entertainment device 1000 is not in use. FIG. 2Aillustrates the entertainment device 1000 in an initial stage oftransition to the second, storage position. The display housing 1180 hasa cylindrical portion 1182 that is recessed or has a smaller diameter ascompared to the remainder of the housing 1180. There are curved(scalloped) surfaces 1184 at the transition between the cylindricalportion 1182 and the remainder of the housing 1180 that arecomplementary to, and mate with, respective curved surfaces on the clampmembers 1160 and 1162. In the initial stage of collapsing theentertainment device 1000 to the second, storage position, the arms1132, 1134, 1136 and 1138 are rotated outward. The display housing 1180can be disconnected from the data, control, and power connectors in oneor both of the clamp members 1160, 1162 and physically removed from theclamp members 1160 and 1162 as shown in FIG. 2A. In addition, the inputcontrollers 1120(1), 1120(2) . . . may be disconnected from theconnections at their respective bays 1150 when putting the entertainmentdevice 1000 into its storage position.

FIG. 2A also shows a storage cover 2000 that is used for covering theentertainment device 1000 in its storage position. The storage cover2000 comprises a generally planar body portion 2010 having a raisedsection 2100 in which a storage recess 2110 is formed for storing thedisplay housing 1180. The storage cover 2000 further includes lateralportions 2120 and 2122 on the sides of the body portion 2010. Eachlateral portion 2120 and 2122 has two additional structural storagefeatures. First, lateral portions 2120 and 2122 have curved bottomsurfaces 2130 and 2132, respectively, which mate with and snap-fit tocomplementary surfaces on the base unit 1100. Second, the lateralportions 2120 and 2122 have curved recesses 2140 and 2142 on their topsurfaces that receive and mate with and snap-fit to portions of theclamp members 1160 and 1162, respectively. The storage cover 2000 alsohas a handle 2200 extended from the main body portion 2010.

Turning to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the entertainment device 1000 is shown fullyfolded into the second, storage position 1200 with the entertainmentdevice 1000 and the storage cover 2000 locked together as a singleintegrated unit. These figures show that the main body portion 2010 ofthe storage cover 2000 covers and protects the touch-sensitive displaysurface 1110 of the entertainment device 1000, as well as the controllerbays 1150 at each user position. The clamp members 1160 and 1162 areshown snapped to the curved surfaces 2140 and 2142 of the storage cover2000. A recess cover 2300 may be provided that removeably snaps over thestorage recess 2110 to contain the display housing 1180 therein. Thus,when the entertainment device 1000 is in the second, storage position,the storage cover 2000 and the entertainment device 1000 become a singleunit that is portable (via handle 2200) and easy to store.

The Electrical Systems

Turning to FIG. 3, an electrical system block diagram is shown for theentertainment device 1000. The electrical system of the device 1000comprises a system controller 3000 that is connected to the varioussub-systems. The system controller 3000 may be a commercially availablemicroprocessor device, such as those sold by Sharp Electronics, forexample. Each of the input controllers, shown in FIG. 3, at referencenumerals 1120(1), 1120(2), 1120(3) and 1120(4) connect to the systemcontroller 3000. With respect to the touch-sensitive surface subsystem,there is touch surface sensing circuitry 3100 connected to a touchsurface controller 3200. The touch surface sensing circuitry 3100 isresponsive to touch-related conditions on the display surface 1110(FIGS. 1 and 2). One example of appropriate touch surface sensingcircuitry 3100 for use with the present invention is describedhereinafter in conjunction with FIGS. 7-13B. The electrical system ofthe device 1000 may include an external memory sub-system including aflash memory device 3300 and a larger working memory, such as a DRAMdevice 3310. The external memory sub-system and its memory devices areuseful for storing game parameters, such as user scores, userpreferences, etc., for a game. These external memory devices 3300, 3310may also be used by the controller 3000 when executing one or moreprocesses associated with a particular game or activity stored in theROM cartridge 1192.

The electrical system of the device 1000 of the present invention mayinclude a projection sub-system 3400 that includes the displaygenerating device 1175 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The components of the displaygenerating device 1175 may vary with the type of projection technologyused. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the projection sub-system 3400comprises a light source 3410, an image display panel or portion 3420, aserializer-deserializer (SERDES) 3430. There is also another SERDES 3450that interfaces data from the system controller 3000 to the projectionsub-system 3400.

In order to generate audio output for the device 1000, the electricalsystem includes a stereo coder/decoder (CODEC) 3500 that is connected tothe system controller 3000. The CODEC 3500 is responsive to commands anddata received from the system controller 3000 to produce sound in theform of music, speech, or other sound that is synchronized to the datarepresenting the displayed visual images produced by the displaygenerating device 1175. Audio output may be produced by left and rightspeakers 3510 and 3520, as well as headphone ports 3530 and 3540connected to the CODEC 3500.

The electrical system of the device 1000 may also include a programcartridge interface 3600 that communicates data stored on a ROMcartridge 1192 to the system controller 3000. In addition, theelectrical system of the device 1000 may utilize a memory card interface3700 connected to the system controller 3000. The memory card interface3700 may support one or more of a variety of memory card formats,including Multimedia™ memory card, Smartmedia™, and Compactflash™.

The accessory block shown at reference numeral 3650 may includecontrollers/interfaces for devices such as, audio system, television,compact disk (CD) or digital video disk (DVD) or other accessory devicessuch as musical instruments (e.g., keyboard), optical devices (cameras),and other user-manipulable electronic input device such as dancepads,joysticks, steering wheels, etc.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the electrical system of the device 1000provides for communication between control buttons 1170 (e.g., power,volume, brightness, mode, reset, etc.) and the system controller 3000.Additionally, a power source (AC or DC, not shown) is utilized to powerall of the components of the device 1000.

The system controller 3000 coordinates displayed image data with thepositions of a player's hand or finger on the touch-sensitive surface asgathered by the touch surface controller 3200. In so doing, the systemcontroller 3000, based on instructions contained in a particular ROMcartridge 1192, will generate image display output and/or audio output,and change its interaction to another player using the device 1000.

Display Generating Device

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a displaygenerating device 1175 for use with an entertainment device 1000 inaccordance with the present invention. As referenced above, the displaygenerating device 1175 may be an image projection system that projects avisual image on the touch-sensitive display surface 1110. FIG. 4illustrates an example of a projection type display generating device1175. If such a projection system is utilized, the display generatingdevice 1175 may include a first lens 310, an image display portion 3420,an illumination source 3410, and a second lens 340. One example of afirst lens 310 operable within the display generating device 1175 of thepresent invention is a projection-type lens. The image display portion3420 operable within the display generating device 1175 of the presentinvention may comprise a transmissive LCD panel and the second lens 340may comprise a condensing lens. Finally, the illumination source 3410may comprise any known light source such as an incandescent source, aKPR bulb, a halogen source (e.g., Xenon), or a light-emitting diode(LED) such as an ultra-bright white LED. Moreover, there may be multipleillumination sources, such as LEDs of multiple colors. In theprojection-type display generating device 1175 shown in FIG. 4, lightgenerated by the illumination source 3410 passes through the second lens340 (condensing lens) and into the rear surface of the image displayportion 3420, such as a transmissive TFT LCD panel. The image on theimage display portion 3420 is then transmitted to and through the firstlens 310 (projection-type lens), where the image is projected from thefirst lens 310 and onto the touch-sensitive display surface 1110. Thedisplay generating device 1175 may also comprise a focus adjustmentmechanism (not shown) to more clearly focus the image onto thetouch-sensitive display surface 1110.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic representation of an alternativeembodiment of a display generating device 1175 for use with anentertainment device 1000 in accordance with the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 5, a super-bright LED light source 3410 is condensed viacondensing lens pair 340A and 340B onto the rear surface of image panel3420, which in this example is a transmissive liquid crystal on silicon(LCOS) panel. The light and image then passes through a projection lens310 onto the touch-sensitive display surface 1110. The touch-sensitivedisplay surface 1110 utilized in the present invention may comprise awhite, metallized, surface.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic representation of an additionalalternative embodiment of a display generating device 1175 for use withan entertainment device 1000 in accordance with the present invention.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the super-bright LED lightsource 3410 is condensed onto the front surface of a reflective LCOSpanel 3425 via a mirror 360. The lighted image reflected off of the LCOSpanel 3425 passes through a projection lens 310 onto the touch-sensitivedisplay surface 1110, which again may be a white metallized surface.

Although an LCD projector-type system is described above for the displaygenerating device 1175, any type of display generating system may beused without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, a rear projection system could be utilized.Furthermore, display generating systems such as an LCD panel, plasmadisplay panel, or a digital light processing (DLP) device could beutilized to perform the function of the display generating device 1175.Still other image generating technologies that are useful in connectionwith the device 1000 are a high temperature polysilicon panel (HTPS) anda MEMS reflective display device.

Regardless of the type of display generating device 1175 used, thesystem controller 3000 (FIG. 3) calibrates it to ensure that the imageprojected onto the touch-sensitive display surface 1110 is sized andoriented to match the corresponding touch-sensitive surface underlyingthe display surface 1110 to achieve a desirable interaction with a gameor activity executed by the system controller 3000. This may involvemechanical adjustment of the projection system (focus, etc.) and/or theuse of extra “border pixels” in the projected image to move the imageproperly onto the display surface 1110 in an alignment with theunderlying touch-sensitive surface.

In addition, a projection type display generating device may be rotatedfrom its normal projection position so as to project images onto a wallor other surface, rather than onto the display surface 1110. Thisfeature may be useful in the event a user wishes to view images or watcha video presentation on a DVD, CD, etc.

In accordance one embodiment of the present invention, thetouch-sensitive display surface 1110 may include a vellum projectionscreen. More specifically, the vellum projection screen may be avacuum-metallized vellum screen with a mirrored back portion forimproved reflectivity. As referenced above, the touch-sensitive displaysurface 1110 need not include a projection-type screen (a projector anda separate screen), and may comprise additional appropriate integratedtouch-sensitive display surfaces such as an LCD or plasma touch paneldisplay, as described hereinafter in connection with FIG. 14.

Touch-Sensitive Surface Sub-System

Turning to FIGS. 7-13B, an example of a touch-sensitive screentechnology useful in connection with the entertainment device 1000according to the invention will be described. This touch-sensitivescreen technology is described in co-pending U.S. Patent Publication No.2004/0043371 A1, published Mar. 4, 2004, corresponding to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/448,582, filed May 30, 2003, entitled“Interactive Multi-Sensory Reading System Electronic Teaching/LearningDevice,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Thistouch screen technology also is used in the publicly availableFisher-Price PowerTouch™ Learning System.

As shown in FIG. 7, there is a sensor array 142 located directly beneatha plastic spacer 515 forming recess surface 130. The plastic spacer 515or the recess surface 130 may serve as the display surface 1110 for theimage generated by the display generating device 1175 if a projectionsystem is used. Spaced beneath sensor array or matrix 142 is anelectrically conductive metal plate 510.

Turning to FIG. 8, the sensor array or matrix 142 may include two setsof generally parallel, individual separate and separated conductivelines arranged as a plurality of spaced apart, column or verticalconductive lines (also referred to as vertical grid lines) 248 and aplurality of spaced apart, row or horizontal conductive lines or traces(also referred to as horizontal grid lines) 246 transverse andpreferably perpendicular to the plurality of column conductive lines248. The sets of lines 246, 248 are referred to as “rows” or “columns”for convenience, “rows” run east-west/left-right while “columns” areperpendicular (or otherwise transverse) to such “rows” runningnorth-south/up-down, but the nomenclature could be reversed. The set ofcolumn conductive lines 248 and the set of row conductive lines 246 areseparated by an electrically-insulative spacer, for example a Mylarplastic sheet. The row and column conductive lines 246, 248 are printedin conductive inks on opposite sides of the Mylar sheet to provideelectrical isolation between the sets and form the sensor matrix 142.The sensor matrix 142 includes sixteen rows 246 and sixteen columns 248of the conductive lines or traces however different numbers of either orboth could be utilized. Each point where a row 246 and column 248 crosscreates a single individual “cross-point” sensor. The sixteen by sixteenline array therefore creates two hundred and fifty-six individualcross-point sensors.

FIG. 9 depicts schematically part of the display surface 1110 thatoverlies the sensor array 142 of the device 1000, with the word “BALL”projected and displayed on the display surface 1110. Also, shown inphantom is the outline of a user's hand, primarily the user's thumb,being placed on the touch-sensitive display surface 1110. The operationof the entertainment device 1000 allows a user to select any active areaon the display surface 1110 by touching or simply placing a finger,thumb, etc., sufficiently closely to the selected area. Upon selectionof this active area in this manner, the system controller 3000 of theentertainment device 1000 may generate and output a certain audiblemessage or visual display responsive to this selection. By way ofexample, when the user's finger touches the word “BALL” on thetouch-sensitive display surface 1110, the system controller 3000 of theentertainment device 1000 may produce a spoken audio output “BALL” andthe displayed graphical representation of a ball 9000 may change color.The audible message and video output is generated in direct response tothe user touching the displayed word “BALL” on the touch-sensitivedisplay surface 1110. Different audible messages and video output wouldbe generated if the user touched other areas of the touch-sensitivedisplay surface 1110. Touching the ball graphic on the display surfacecould produce a sound of a bouncing ball (and or the image of a bouncingball). Touching any areas of the touch-sensitive display surface 1110(overlying the sensor array 142) that do not have text or graphicsdisplayed on it (a “non-assigned area”) could generate a generic soundof a single bell ringing to signify that there is no audio/videoassociated with this area. Additionally, touching a non-assigned areacould produce a generic spoken audio output or visual display, such as“try again” or the input selection could simply be ignored. It can beseen from FIG. 9 that each word and/or image displayed on thetouch-sensitive display surface 1110 may be mapped to one or more x andy coordinate pairs of the sensor array 142. For instance, the word“BALL” is located at Row 5, Column 4 and Row 5, Column 5 of the sensorarray 142. This map location is stored in memory (e.g., the memorydevices 3300, 3310 of FIG. 3) along with the associated audible messagethat is played when either cross-point sensor location is selected.

FIGS. 10-11 show examples of three cross-sections of the sensor array142 without and with an overlying display surface 1110. FIGS. 10-12 showa plastic spacer 515, a plurality of the spaced apart column (vertical)traces 248, the non-conductive (e.g. Mylar) sheet 525 and one of thespaced apart row (horizontal) traces 246 transverse to the plurality ofcolumn traces 248. The non-conductive sheet 525 supports and separatesthe column traces 248 from the row traces 246. The conductive plane 510in the form of a metal plate is connected to system ground and parallelto and spaced away from the sensor array 142.

The plastic spacer 515 which forms the recess surface 130 may beapproximately 0.080″ thick and is placed on top of the array 142 to actas an insulator so that a touch surface of a sensor is separated fromthe matrix 142 by at least this amount. The spacer 515 may be a styreneor ABS with a dielectric constant between about 2 and 3 although thethickness and dielectric constant can be adjusted to achieve the desiredsensitivity. The function of the spacer 515 is to provide a stableresponse from the matrix 142 (when touched by finger/appendage 505). Thewidth and thickness of the column traces 248 (vertical columns) and rowtraces 246 (horizontal rows) should be kept to a minimum at thecross-points to reduce the capacitive effect at each of the cross-pointsbut are preferably increased between the cross-points and around thecross-points, for example, by widening the individual row and columntraces into four pointed stars or diagonal squares or the like aroundand between the cross-point locations.

The conductive plane 510 is spaced approximately one-quarter inch (5 mm)below the matrix 142. The conductive plane 510 provides shielding forthe matrix 142 and as a result, affects the area sensed around eachcross-point in the matrix 142.

Referring back to FIG. 7, the individual traces 246, 248 are extended toside and bottom edges of the sheet 525 supporting the traces.Preferably, shorter traces 530 and 535 are extended from the side andbottom edges, respectively, of the sheet 525, one shorter trace 530 or535 on either side of each sensor trace 246 or 248, respectively (seeFIG. 8). The shorter traces 530 and 535 are all connected to systemground through or with the conductive plane 510. The horizontal traces530 extend inwardly from the vertical edge to just beyond where the rowtraces 246 widen out to form terminals and, with a uniform length,provide some impedance control. The vertical traces 535 extend from thebottom edge up to a point where the vertical traces 248 begin to runparallel, just below where those traces are flared and to within aboutone-half inch (12 mm) of the lowest cross-points. Traces 535 preventcross coupling between the column traces 248 when the columns are beingdriven by an oscillator.

Generally, baseline or reference values of signals generated by thesensor matrix 142 are read and stored without human interaction with thearrays to obtain a reference value for each cross-point. The referencevalue of each cross-point sensor is individually determined and updated.Preferably, each is a running “average” of successive scan values (e.g.,approximately sixteen) for the cross-point. Successive scans arecompared to the reference values to determine the proximity of a humanfinger or other extremity. Data may be accumulated starting at zero whenthe device 1000 is powered on.

FIG. 12 is an electrical block diagram of the touch surface sensingcircuitry 3100 and the touch surface controller 3200. The touch surfacecontroller 3200 is a dedicated microprocessor controller such as thepublicly available Sunplus SPLI30A microprocessor. The touch surfacesensing circuitry 3100 comprises a column driver circuit 254, a rowselect circuit 258, a synchronous detector, multiplexer and filtercircuit 260 that processes the raw sensor signals and passes processedsignals to an analog to digital converter 262 for digitization.Alternatively, the functions of touch surface controller 3200 might beperformed by the device system controller 3000 (FIG. 3). The touchsurface sensing circuitry 3100 further comprises the cross-point matrixor sensor array 142 and a signal oscillator 252, which powers the sensorarray 142 and controls the detector 260.

Operation of the touch surface sensing circuitry 3100 is as follows (andis illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B). Firmware associated with touchsurface controller 3200 directs the column driver circuit 254 to pass anRF excitation signal, for example, a 250 kHz, 3300 millivolt square wavesignal, from the signal oscillator 252 to column traces 248 of thesensor array 142. The firmware also directs the row select circuit 258to generate appropriate control signals sent to the row sensor circuit(not shown) to connect a row trace 246 in the sensor array 142 to thesynchronous detector, multiplexer and filter circuit 260. The touchsurface controller 3200 further controls the transfer of data from thesynchronous detector, multiplexer and filter circuit 260, whichgenerates a DC level analog voltage signal through A/D converter 262.The row traces 246 may be scanned bottom to top while the column traces248 are driven innermost to outermost.

After the initial values from the sensor array 142 are stored, thesensor array 142 is cyclically and continually scanned, and the resultsfor each cross-point sensor are compared with the stored referencevalues, which are themselves cyclically and continuously updated. If anyindividual cross-point sensor value has a differential from itsreference value that is greater than a predetermined or threshold amount(“threshold”), the touch surface controller 3200 will mark the point as“touched” or “selected”. A fixed threshold is established for the device1000 by characterizing the device 1000 during manufacture. For thecircuitry, materials and structure described, it has been found thatwith an applied 3300 millivolts, 250 kHz square wave signal, individualcross-point sensors of the sensor array 142 output signals of about 2200millivolts±400 millivolts without user interaction. Deflection of thesignal (i.e. a drop in detected signal strength) at each cross-pointsensor location for user contacts ranging between that of a large adultdirectly touching the surface to a small child touching the surfaceranges from about 1600 millivolts in the first case to only about200-300 millivolts in the second case. The threshold may be set as closeas possible to the smallest expected user generated deflection. In thisdevice 1000 being described, the threshold is set for less than 200millivolts, between about 190 and 200 millivolts, for each cross-pointsensor. If the measured voltage value for the cross-point being sensedis less than the reference value in memory by an amount equal to orgreater than the threshold amount, the point is considered touched andis “marked” as such by the sensor touch surface controller 3200. If thedifference is less than the threshold, the reference value is updatedeach 64 milliseconds period (full scan time), resulting in a settling ofthe reference values after about one second. After the sensor array 142is scanned, cross-points that have been “marked” as a touched for twoscan cycles are considered valid and selected for further processing bya “best candidate” algorithm as will be described.

When the sensor array 142 is scanned, each cross-point data value isinitially compared to a “High Limit” value. If the data value exceedsthis High Limit value, it is ignored as a candidate for that scan andignored for updating the reference value for that sensor. The purpose ofthe High Limit value is to prevent abnormally high data values fromcausing a cross-point sensor to appear permanently pressed.

As noted above, for each array scan, each time the data value associatedwith a cross-point sensor is read, it is compared against the referencevalue, which may be thought of and herein referred to as a “RunningAverage” associated with that cross-point sensor. If the data value isless than the Running Average minus the threshold, the cross-pointsensor is considered “touched” for that scan. The threshold is the fixeddata value mentioned above (i.e. 190 to 200 millivolts) that representsthe minimum deflection which is expected to indicate that a cross-pointsensor is considered touched.

If the data value does not indicate that the cross-point sensor isconsidered touched (that is, data value is less than the [RunningAverage-Threshold]), then the data value is used to update the RunningAverage. Upon power-up of the device 1000, the Running Average for eachpoint is set to zero. Each time the data value for a cross-point sensoris not greater than the High Limit, and not low enough to indicate thatthe cross-point sensor is touched, the data value is used to update theRunning Average for that point. The formula used to compute the newRunning Average is as follows:New Running Average=Running Average+(data value−Running Average)/16.Thus, the preferred “running average” is not truly an average but rathera convergence algorithm.

With the above knowledge, the function of the High Limit algorithm cannow be explained. The reference value/running average algorithm can befooled by situations where high levels of interference exist and thecross-point sensor readings climb significantly. Without the High Limitcut-off, abnormally high data values (due to a continuous noise source)could eventually result in an abnormally high Running Average for agiven cross-point sensor. Then, when the scanned data values return totheir nominal value range, if the data values being scanned are lowenough such that the data values are greater than the abnormally highRunning Average minus the threshold, the cross-point sensor will beconsidered touched. This will result in newly scanned data values neverbeing used in the calculation of the Running Average and therefore, willnot allow the Running Average to be lowered to it's normal level,causing the cross-point sensor to appear permanently touched during theduration of use of device 1000. Consequently, the only sensor data whichis used or stored is that data which is less than the High Limit. A HighLimit value of 3100 millivolts (about fifty-percent higher than thenominal voltage) may be appropriate.

The following describes a “Fast Recovery” algorithm. This algorithmcompares the latest reading from a cross-point to the reference value orRunning Average. If the latest reading if higher by more than the FastRecovery Threshold, the reference value will be set equal to the latestreading. This algorithm counters a situation where the user “hovers” afinger over a point for an extended period of time, which artificiallyforces the reference value down. A quick release and touch of the samepoint in this situation may cause the system not to respond because thedifferential between the reference value and latest reading is not morethan the touch threshold value (threshold).

The previous section described in detail how the 256 cross-point sensorarray 142 is determined to be activated (i.e. “touched” or “selected”)or not. During each scan, every cross-point sensor is considered to beactivated/touched or not.

After each scan, the touched points are processed to identify a “bestcandidate”. Generally speaking, the best candidate is the cross-pointsensor selected by the touch surface controller 3200 as being the pointmost likely to have been selected by the user in touching the sensor.Generally speaking, it is the touched point which is highest (mostnorthern/Top) or the highest and most left (i.e. most northwestern/TopLeft) if two potential candidates of equal height are activated on thesensor array 142. For convenience, these will be referred tocollectively as simply “the most northwestern” point. Also, thecross-point sensor preferably must be “touched” for two consecutive 64millisecond scans to be considered as the new most northwestern point ofthe sensor.

The touch surface controller 3200 first identifies a set of touchedsensors. It next identifies those which have been touched for at leasttwo consecutive 64 millisecond cycles. These are the new mostnorthwestern candidate sensors. Once the best candidate has been chosen,its identification/location is communicated from the touch surfacecontroller 3200 to the system controller 3000.

Once a new most northwestern point (cross-point sensor) has been chosen,a “Southern Lockout” algorithm takes effect for the sensor array 142.The Southern Lockout algorithm causes any point of the same arraytouched in subsequent scans below the new most northwestern point to beignored until the earlier of one second expiration while the new mostnorthwestern point remains selected, or the new most northwestern pointis released. After the lockout, all cross-points of the array becomecandidates for new most northwestern point. This algorithm covers thesituation where the user rests the heel of the pointing hand on thearray after finger touching the array (as a young child may be prone todo).

A “Peak Search” algorithm may be employed after a new most northwesternpoint of the sensor array 142 is identified. The deflection of the crosspoint sensors immediately East (right), South (below) and Southeast(below right) of the new most northwestern point sensor are examined fortouch and the relative deflections of any touched sensor of the fourcompared to one another. The one sensor of those up to four sensorshaving the greatest deflection (i.e. change from reference value/RunningAverage) is selected as the “Best Candidate” and itsidentity/location/position is passed to the main (base unit) systemcontroller 3000.

Each time a new best candidate is selected, its position is transferredby the touch surface sensor controller 3200 to the system controller3000. The system controller 3000 would then decide how to use thisinformation (interrupt current activity or not, use a neighborcross-point sensor instead of the best candidate, etc.).

The device 1000 will determine if there are multiple hands placed touchsurface. In the event that the system controller 3000 sees two handsplaced on the sensor, it will look to see if either input is a clearlydefined most northern point. If so, it will select this input as thebest candidate. Instead of having to generate an audio output to directthe user to use “one finger at a time” or any other appropriatestatement when the device 1000 cannot determine with reasonable accuracythe likely input, this technique can select a “best candidate” based onthe above-described algorithm.

Other types of touch-sensitive surface or position detectiontechnologies may be utilized without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. For example, analog resistive or capacitive touchpanels may be used, digital camera CCD technology, so-called gesturerecognition technology, heat sensitive, color sensitive, patternsensing, object sensing or any other contextual sensing technology basedon electro-physical material properties, photo-reflective properties orphoto-absorption properties.

Still another alternative is to use a LCD monitor with an integratedtouch panel. This alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 14, where theintegrated LCD monitor/touch panel is shown at reference numeral 4000.This integrated LCD monitor/touch panel would replace both the displaygenerating device 1175 and the display surface 1110 (illustrated in FIG.1). The monitor/touch panel 4000 has its own touch surface sensingcircuitry 3100 and touch surface controller 3200 that are in turnconnected to the system controller 3000. The system controller 3000responds to touch position information supplied to it by the touchsurface controller 3200 and also generates display image data that issupplied (through the appropriate intervening display driver circuitry)to the monitor/touch panel 4000. Numerous models of integrated displaymonitor/touch panels are known in the art and may be used in accordancewith the present invention.

Examples of other types of touch or proximity sensing technologies thatmay be used with the entertainment device 1000 of the present inventioninclude pressure-sensitive switch matrices such as a Mylar® switchmatrix, proximity sensing antenna arrays and proximity sensingcapacitive arrays. Some examples of additional appropriatetouch-sensitive display surfaces are LCD or plasma touch panel displays.

Exemplary Games and Game System Operation

With general reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, in the operation of anentertainment device 1000 in accordance with the present invention, animage generated by the display generating device 1175 is displayed onthe touch-sensitive display surface 1110. The touch-sensitive displaysurface 1110 and the at least one input controller 1120(1), 1120(2) areboth operably coupled to the system controller 3000. Furthermore, thesystem controller 3000 is responsive to signals from the touch-sensitivedisplay surface 1110 and, the at least one input controller 1120(1),1120(2) to alter the visual image displayed on the touch-sensitivedisplay surface 1110 in response to a user's interaction with thetouch-sensitive display surface 1110 and/or the at least one inputcontroller 1120(1), 1120(2). Thus, a user of the entertainment device1000 in accordance with the present invention can use either thetouch-sensitive display surface 1110, the at least one input controller1120(1), 1120(2), or both the touch-sensitive display surface 1110 andthe at least one input controller 1120(1), 1122(2) to provide input tothe system controller 3000 to alter the image (move portions of, change,re-orient, etc.—as opposed to merely a brightness control or an on/offcontrol) displayed on the touch-sensitive display surface 1110.

Turning to FIGS. 15 and 16, another feature of the entertainment device1000 will be described. As described above, the device 1000 is intendedfor use by multiple players, and in the examples described herein thereare four play positions at each of four sides 1102, 1104, 1106 and 1108of the generally rectangular base housing 1100. Consequently, in thecourse of a game or activity, it is necessary to transition from oneplayer to another player, but the players are positioned at differentorientations with respect to the touch-sensitive display surface 1110.Therefore, the system controller 3000 needs to recognize this andre-orient the image displayed by the display generating device 1175(projected or displayed on a display panel) and also re-orient how itresponds to touch commands on the display surface 1110 with respect tothe re-oriented images. When a transition in an activity is made fromone user position to another user position, the system controller 3000controls the display generating device 1175 to rotate the displayedvisual images so that they are properly aligned with the new currentlyactive user position. In addition, the system controller 3000 adjustshow it interprets touch position detections made by the touch/proximitysensing device during such a transition from one user position toanother user position.

A procedure useful to adjust the orientations during a game or activityis shown at reference numeral 5000 in FIG. 16. Step 5010 shows normalexecution of a game or activity with the current player. For example, asshown in FIG. 15, the game or activity involves interaction with Player1. As an example, a message is displayed for Player 1 involving aselection after which the game or activity moves to Player 2. Adisplayed message to Player 1 in this example is:

“Select the Song You Wish to Hear During Your Next Turn

-   -   A    -   B    -   C”        When Player 1 makes the selection (from A, B and C) by either a        button on the input controller 1120(1) or touching the        touch-sensitive display surface 1110 proximate the desired        selection, the system controller 3000 detects that Player 1's        turn is over. This corresponds to step 5020 in which the system        controller 3000 detects a player transition event. Next, in step        5030, the system controller 3000 determines the next player        according to rules of the game or activity. For example, Player        2 may be the next player. Then, in step 5040 the system        controller 3000 re-orients (e.g., rotates) the image data to be        displayed so that it is aligned properly for the new player, by        rotating the image data by 90 degrees to the right on the        touch-sensitive display surface 1110 so that it appears oriented        and intended for Player 2. The system controller 3000 also, in        step 5050, re-orients how it responds to touch surface commands        according to the re-oriented displayed image. For example, to        respond to touch or proximity detected commands from Player 2,        the system controller 3000 adjusts (rotates) by 90 degrees to        the right those positions that are “hot” and cause a certain        action in response to the touch position signals it receives        from the touch surface controller 3200, representing touch        positions of Player 2. A partial view of the conductive wires        associated with the (M×N) sensor array 142 is shown in FIG. 15        to depict how the system controller 3000 is programmed to        re-orient how it responds to touches from a user since the        sensor array 142 is fixed, but the relative positions on the        sensor array where a user may touch to cause a particular action        (visual and/or audible) with respect to a displayed visual image        is different from each user position 1102, 1104, 1106, and 1108.

This re-orientation process is repeated when transitioning from Player 2to any other player. It should be understood that if only 2 or 3 playersare active in a particular game or activity, the system controller wouldknow to re-orient the image display data and touch positionresponsiveness accordingly. Moreover, this re-orientation process can beapplied to an entertainment device that has fewer than 4 or more than 4player positions such that the re-orientation is not a simple 90 degreeadjustment. This re-orientation process 5000 applies for a displaygenerating device that is a display panel or monitor 4000 as well as animage projection system 1175. In the case of an image projection system1175 (such as in FIG. 1), it is possible that the image can bere-orientated by adjusting one or more optical devices in the projectedimage path. However, it may be more desirable to re-orient the raw imagedata prior to its projection.

The following are generic examples of games or activities that may beplayed on the entertainment device 1000 of the present invention. Theinstructions, scripts, programs for these games or activities may beembodied in a removable memory cartridge device 1192, as describedabove. The games or activities are software programs containing digitaldata for animated characters accompanied by voice, music, and othergraphical elements. The games/activities may involve sequential,interactive, narrative stories that containing puzzles, activities orgames interwoven as challenges to provide a progressive rewarding typeexperience for the players.

Digitally Animated Adventure Game

One type of game is an animated adventure game where one or moreanimated characters are displayed and the character(s) negotiate avariety of activities, such as an underwater amusement park. Each playermay select a particular character and negotiate a simulated displayedgame board, for example, collecting certain items in order to win thegame. A player's character may progress on the displayed game boardusing an electronic or virtual roll of the dice, for example. Inaddition, when a player lands on a particular spot on the game board,the player may be prompted, through visual and audio stimulus, to engagein a particular activity in order to earn a particular item or “ticket”award that counts towards winning the game. A player may accumulatetickets in order to redeem them for certain animated or displayed items.A player may engage in these so-called mini-games or activities(including educational or learning activities) using the inputcontrollers or the touch-sensitive display screen. These mini-games maybe distributed randomly throughout the game board each time a new gameis started.

Portions of the visual display proximate each player's position at theentertainment device may be dedicated to tracking each player's digitalscorecard concerning their progress in the game. The scorecard may showa player's character and which items the player has collected.

There may be virtual animated “vendors” that appear randomly atdifferent spots on the game board to “sell” certain items to players whohave collected a sufficient number of tickets. The items that can bepurchased may be used by a player during play of the game (e.g., arolling bonus, a time bonus, etc.), while others may be used againstopponents (lose a turn, etc.). The game may also include suddenappearance of certain animated characters that give bonus tickets tocertain players, for example, or play special side games or activities.

Digitally Animated Adventure Tales

Another type of game may involve a digital book consisting of acombination of a traditional storybook, a children's activity book andweb-type flash games. A player or user becomes part of the adventure,helping the animated characters complete certain challenges and reachtheir goals. Each so-called “page” of the storybook includes afull-screen combination of artwork, a story line, object identificationand animated “hot spots”. As the story is read to the user, or as ananimated character speaks, the accompanying text will appear on-screenand highlight. Each phrase or sentence will highlight individually asthose words are also heard as voiceover. On certain pages, severalobjects are tagged as “identifiable hotspots.” When a child touches oneof these objects, that word or phrase is said aloud. Certain areas andobjects on the pages are tagged for special animations, so that if achild touches that area, the name of that object is said aloud, and ananimation or other reward will be revealed. In addition, certain pagesof the storybook may contain mini-games, activities or challenges(including educational or learning activities) related to the storyline.

The game and activity examples described above highlight the necessityfor re-orienting the displayed visual image according to which player isactive in a game. For example, the animated characters may be intendedfor a particular player. Consequently, the device needs to keep track ofplayers'turns in the game, and re-orient certain displayed visual imagesto that player whose turn it currently is. Moreover, if the game callsfor detecting a touch or proximity of a command from a player, thedevice also re-orients on which positions on the sensor array that itneeds to respond to for the currently active player.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the housing1100 of the entertainment device 1000 of the present invention mayinclude headphone jacks for a user's convenience. Additionally, theentertainment device 1000 of the present invention may include a gesturerecognition system, including a camera and/or sensors to sense, model,and react to a user's hand motions, adding an extra dimension ofinteractivity to the entertainment device 1000. Also, the entertainmentdevice 1000 of the present invention may include a rechargeable powersource. The entertainment device 1000 of the present invention may alsoinclude night vision goggles, a magnifying glass, or a special opticaldevice that would allow a user to reveal secret codes, cards, letters,or other information displayed in certain wavelengths of light on thetouch-sensitive display surface 1110. Furthermore, the entertainmentdevice 1000 of the present invention may include deluxe inputcontrollers which include all of the features of the at least one inputcontroller 1120(1), 1120(2), 1120(3), 1120(4) and also may include anonboard display screen displaying individual user messages (e.g., thingslike scrabble letters, hidden game clues, etc.). Also, the entertainmentdevice 1000 of the present invention may include a memory unit(removeable or non-removeable) for storing game/player relatedinformation (such as high scores, etc.). Finally, the housing 1100 ofthe entertainment device 1000 of the present invention may include lightsources to identify which user is in control of the entertainment device1000 i.e., (which user's turn it is to control the entertainment device1000). Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers themodifications and variations of this invention provided they come withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. An entertainment device comprising: a display surface; a displaygenerating device operable to display a visual image on the displaysurface; a touch/proximity sensing device that detects positions of auser appendage in proximity to the display surface; a control unitoperably coupled to the touch/proximity sensitive device and to thedisplay generating device; and at least one input controller operablycoupled to the control unit; wherein the control unit is responsive tosignals from the at least one input controller and position detectionsfrom the touch/promixity sensing device to generate and supply data tothe display generating device for displaying visual images on thedisplay surface.
 2. The entertainment device of claim 1, wherein thetouch/proximity sensing device is positioned beneath the display surfaceand is responsive to user touches on or in proximity to said displaysurface to output a signal indicative of the position thereof, andwherein the display generating device comprises a projection system forprojecting the visual image on the display surface.
 3. The entertainmentdevice of claim 2, wherein the projection system comprises a back-litprojection device having an illumination source, wherein theillumination source comprises at least one of: a light-emitting diode, ahalogen bulb, and an incandescent bulb.
 4. The entertainment device ofclaim 2, wherein the projection system comprises a transmissive displaypanel that generates the visual image in response to data supplied bythe control unit.
 5. The entertainment device of claim 2, wherein theprojection system comprises a reflective display device that generatesthe visual image.
 6. The entertainment device of claim 2, wherein theprojection system is moveably mounted with respect to the displaysurface to assume a first position for projecting the visual image ontothe display surface from above, the projection system being locatedapart from the display surface in the first position.
 7. Theentertainment device of claim 6, wherein the projection system isconfigured to assume a second position, the projection system beinglocated proximate the display surface in the second position.
 8. Theentertainment device of claim 7, and further comprising a base memberthat supports the display surface, and at least one arm member thatextends from the base member to said projection system to hold saidprojection system above said display surface.
 9. The entertainmentdevice of claim 8, wherein said at least one arm is collapsible towardssaid base member.
 10. The entertainment device of claim 1, wherein saiddisplay surface, said display generating device and said touch/proximitysensing device are housed within display monitor/touch panel device thatis coupled to the control unit.
 11. The entertainment device of claim 1,and further comprising a plurality of user positions around said displaysurface at which a user interacts with the entertainment device, whereinsaid control unit controls the display generating device to change anorientation of the visual image depending on which user position isengaged in an activity or game.
 12. The entertainment device of claim11, wherein said control unit further adjusts how it responds to signalsfrom the touch/proximity sensing device when there is a change in theorientation of the visual image.
 13. The entertainment device of claim1, and further comprising a port to receive a memory device that storesone or more computer programs for a game or activity, wherein saidcontrol unit is connected to said port to read and execute said one ormore computer programs.
 14. The entertainment device of claim 1, furthercomprising an audio output generating device operably coupled to saidcontrol unit, said audio output generating device configured to generateaudio output in response to signals from said control unit, wherein saidaudio output is synchronized to displayed visual images.
 15. Theentertainment device of claim 1, and further comprising a port connectedto said control unit that removeably receives a memory module thatstores instructions executed by said control unit to perform aparticular activity or game that involves displaying a particular visualimage and responding to commands derived from a user touching or cominginto close proximity with certain positions on said display surface. 16.The entertainment device of claim 1, and further comprising at least onecontroller port that is connected to said control unit and whichreceives said at least one input controller, wherein the least onecontroller port is further capable of accepting other accessory devices.17. An entertainment device comprising: a base unit; a display surfaceon said base unit; a plurality of player positions on said base unitcircumscribing said display surface; a display generating deviceoperable to display a visual image on said display surface; atouch/proximity sensing device that detects positions of a userappendage on said display surface; a control unit operably coupled tothe touch/proximity sensing device and to the display generating device;an input controller at each player position that is operably coupled tothe control unit; and wherein the control unit is responsive to signalsfrom the controller and signals representing user appendage positionsdetected by touch/promixity sensing device to alter data supplied tosaid display generating device.
 18. The entertainment device of claim17, wherein said touch/proximity sensing device is positioned beneathsaid display surface and is responsive to user touches on or inproximity to said display surface to output a signal indicative of theposition thereof, and wherein said display generating device comprises aprojection system for projecting the visual image on the displaysurface.
 19. The entertainment device of claim 17, wherein said displaysurface, said display generating device and said touch/proximity sensingdevice are are integrated into a display monitor/touch panel device thatis coupled to said control unit.
 20. The entertainment device of claim17, wherein said control unit supplies data to said display generatingdevice to change an orientation of a displayed visual image for viewingat each of said player positions around said display surface.
 21. Theentertainment device of claim 20, wherein said control unit furtheradjusts how it responds to signals from the touch/proximity sensingdevice upon a change in the orientation of said visual image.
 22. Anentertainment device comprising: a housing having multiple playerpositions; means for generating a visual image; means on said housingfor displaying said visual image on an image display surface means fordetecting positions of a user appendage on said image display surface;an input controller at each player position for receiving user input;and control means coupled to said means for generating a visual image,said means for detecting positions of a user appendage on said imagedisplay surface, and said input controller, said control means operableto alter data supplied to the means for generating a visual image inresponse to signals from said input controller and signals from saidmeans for detecting positions of a user appendage on said image displaysurface.
 23. A method for generating entertainment in a multi-userdevice, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying visual images on asurface around which there are a plurality of user positions; (b)monitoring touch or proximity positions of a user's appendage on saidsurface; (c) receiving input from a user via a user input device at oneof said plurality of user positions; and (d) controlling said step (a)based upon a detected touch or proximity positions of said user'sappendage on said surface and input received from a user via said userinput device.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein step (a) comprisesprojecting a visual image onto a display surface.
 25. The method ofclaim 23, wherein step (a) comprises displaying the visual image with adisplay panel device.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein step (b)comprises monitoring the position of a user's hand with respect saidsurface with a touch or proximity sensing device, and wherein step (a)comprises projecting a visual image onto said surface.
 27. The method ofclaim 23, wherein step (d) comprises changing an orientation of thevisual image depending on which user position is active.
 28. The methodof claim 27, wherein step (d) further comprises adjusting data generatedby said step (b) upon a change in the orientation of the visual image.29. An entertainment device comprising: a touch or proximity-sensitivedisplay surface; a plurality of user positions around said displaysurface; a display generating device operable to display a visual imageon said display surface; a control unit operably coupled to said displaygenerating device, wherein said control unit executes a program tosupply data to said display generating device to generate visual imagesfor display on said display surface according to said program, andwherein said control unit supplies said data to said display generatingdevice to change the orientation of said visual images for viewing by auser at a particular user position.
 30. The entertainment device ofclaim 29, and further comprising a touch/proximity sensing device thatdetects positions of a user appendage on said display surface, whereinsaid control unit is responsive to position detections made by saidtouch/proximity sensing device in supplying data to said displaygenerating device.
 31. The entertainment device of claim 30, whereinsaid control unit is further responsive to signals from saidtouch/proximity sensing device upon a change in the orientation ofvisual images for a particular user position.
 32. The entertainmentdevice of claim 29, wherein said control unit supplies data to saiddisplay generating device to rotate said displayed visual images forviewing at one user position to viewing at said particular userposition.
 33. A method for generating entertainment in a multi-userentertainment device, comprising: (a) displaying visual images on atouch or proximity-sensitive surface around which there are a pluralityof user positions; (b) controlling said step (a) to rotate said visualimages on said touch or proximity-sensitive surface from one userposition to another user position.
 34. The method of claim 33, andfurther comprising monitoring touch or proximity positions of a user'sappendage on said touch or proximity-sensitive surface, and furthercomprising altering a response of said entertainment device upon receiptof signals representing said monitored positions when the visual imagesare rotated from one user position to another user position.
 35. Anentertainment device comprising: a base unit that supports a displaysurface; a display generating device operable to display a visual imageon said display surface; at least first and second support members thatattach to said base unit and operable to move between a first positionand a second position with respect to said base unit; first and secondconnectors attached to distal ends of said first and second supportmembers that removeably hold said display generating device above saiddisplay surface when said support members are in said first position; acover member that fits over said display surface of said base unit andhaving a storage recess to store said display generating device thereinwhen removed from said first and second connectors, said cover memberhaving a body with surface portions that mate with correspondingsurfaces of said first and second connectors when said first and secondmembers are in said second position.
 36. The entertainment device ofclaim 35, wherein said cover member further comprises a carrying handle.37. The entertainment device of claim 35, wherein said cover memberfurther comprises lateral portions configured to mate with complimentaryportions of said base unit.
 38. The entertainment device of claim 35,further comprising a recess cover that selectively covers said storagerecess in said cover member.